The 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR), under construction in eastern San Luis Obispo County, is generating clean, reliable solar power for transmission over PG&E’s utility grid. CVSR will help California achieve its goal of generating 33% of its energy from renewables by 2020.
The SunPower® T0 Tracker technology installed on the site is quiet, requires no fuel and needs minimal water. It will generate enough emission-free energy to power the equivalent of 100,000 average homes—or the equivalent of nearly every home in San Luis Obispo County. Over its two-year construction period, CVSR is creating approximately 350 jobs during construction and will inject $315 million into the local economy.
Economic Benefits
- $315 million injected into local San Luis Obispo economy during construction and operations.
- $10 million in total tax revenues.
- 350 construction jobs created during construction.
Environmental Benefits
- About 70% of the site–3,200 acres–will be permanently conserved and managed to meet conservation objectives for a range of species.
- More than 12,000 acres will be preserved in perpetuity, contributing to a larger conservation and connectivity strategy for the Carrizo Plain.
- Replaces production of up to 333,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
- Designed to minimize annual water use and includes a water recycling plan.
- Incorporates a fencing and alternate wildlife corridor designed to minimize visual impact, grading and species impact.
